He further highlighted upon the constraints like declining water table, depleting soil health, air pollution, diminishing biodiversity, dependence on migratory labour, shrinking landholdings, increased cost of cultivation, marketing related problems, in the face of contemporary agriculture.

Kang said PAU is prioritising its programmes to make them in tune with the changing scenario. He added that the university gives due importance to the feedback from farmers and it has well-developed research extension linkages.

Kang said that to know the latest happenings in agriculture, the farmers should read the farm literature brought out by the university. He further told the gathering that PAU has strengthened its research in biotechnology by creating a School of Biotechnology.

Former Additional Director Research (Agriculture) Dr Gurdev Singh Hira said although shifting the date of paddy transplantation after June 15 had useful results in arresting the rate of underground water depletion, it might have to be extended to June 30 in a phased manner.